Posted on 08/20/2006 10:59:12 AM PDT by Gamecock
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Calling it a "better use of resources," the General Council of the Assemblies of God voted to spend $2.3 million — their entire 2004 evangelism budget — on converting Madonna.
"Dollar for dollar, this is a great plan," said AG spokesman Sean Taylor. "If she gets saved, think of the legions of fans that will follow her."
The novel evangelism attempt will include buying space on every billboard near the singer's homes in Los Angeles, New York and London. Some billboards will read, "Madonna, we've got to talk. God," and, "Spiritual girl — has a nice ring, doesn't it?" Each will carry the number for the AG's prayer line, 1-800-4PRAYER.
The AG will also purchase commercial time on her favorite television shows, send airplanes with banners over her homes and pack her concerts with believers who hold up signs that say "Madonna, Come to Jesus!"
The AG has struggled with declining membership in the past decade and has "opened up to fresh evangelism approaches," says an insider. But AG ministers from Texas and Oklahoma put up strong resistance to the Madonna idea.
"Madonna's done so much filthy stuff, I personally wouldn't mind if she went to hell," said an executive presbyter from Abilene, Texas. "I particularly didn't like her 'Sex' book, which, to me, had very little redeeming content."
The naysayers were outvoted by a strong California contingent, and a renegade group of Midwest pastors. "We had to make a statement as a denomination that we're not dying on the vine," said Warren Mitzke from San Jose, Calif. "We're willing to take risks."
And if the effort fails?
"We'll go back to funding obscure inner-city ministries and missionaries and all that," said Taylor. "It's just that once in a while you've got to go for the big fish." •
Amazing.
Hard to believe anyone got reeled in by this one.
That's still funnier to me than any of the articles I've seen yet.
HarleyD! Hey, at least you're a good sport about it, Harley.
The funniest line, IMO: "I particularly didn't like her 'Sex' book, which, to me, had very little redeeming content."
With all due respect, you haven't seen this one...
THE RIGHT WAY TO ACT WHEN YOU MEET JESUS. . . AND STAY ON HIS GOOD SIDE!
Oops - I guess you already have!
It's hard to pass up an in-depth religious article from Weekly World News.
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